Bird vs Magic

The next generation of rivalry, these two competitors became the face of the NBA after entering the league after the 1979 NCAA Basketball Championship where Magic Johnson and Michigan State defeated Larry Bird and Indiana State (Lopresti, 2021). As a rivalry, these two players entered the league during this era and carried the NBA beyond the timeframe of this project signifying the 1980s generation of the NBA. Below are Bird and Magic in the 1979 NCAA Championship as well as their matchup during their rookie seasons.

Michigan State University and Indiana State University, 1979 NCAA National Championship

James Drake

March 26, 1979

11 x 11 in

Sports Illustrated Classic

College Basketball: NCAA Final Four: Michigan State Earvin "Magic" Johnson (33) and Indiana State Larry Bird (33) lining up for foul shot during game at Special Events Center. Salt Lake City, UT 3/26/1979CREDIT: James Drake

(Photo by James Drake /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images/Getty Images)(Set Number: X23267 )

Indiana State Larry Bird and Michigan State Magic Johnson, 1979 NCAA National Championship

James Drake

March 26, 1979

6.77 x 7 in

Sports Illustrated Classic

UNITED STATES - MARCH 26: College Basketball: NCAA Final Four, Indiana State Larry Bird (33) handing ball to Michigan State Magic Johnson (33) during championship game, Salt Lake City, UT 3/26/1979

(Photo by James Drake/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images/Getty Images) (SetNumber: X23267)

Magic V Bird

Joan Adlen

October 28, 1979

12 x 10.5 in

Getty Images Sport Classic

INGLEWOOD - OCTOBER 28: LA Lakers rookie Magic Johnson rips a rebound from the hands of Boston Celtics rookie Larry Bird during the first half at the Forum on October 28, 1979 in Inglewood, California. It is the first time both former college stars have met on the court since the NCAA tournament in March.

(Photo by Joan Adlen/Getty Images)

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